Immigration Picture Book: How Many Days to America? A Thanksgiving Story

After soliders visit a small boy’s home, his family immediately leaves for America under the cover of night.  They take nothing with them except a change of clothes and money to pay their fare on a small boat.  Across the waters of the Caribbean they sail, hoping for refuge in America.

Eve Bunting has written a beautiful modern day Thanksgiving story that will makes a wonderful read aloud.  Students will have to make inferences throughout (where is the story taking place, why do they have to leave, why can’t they stop the first place that they find land) and will be able to make connections to the other immigration stories they know as well.

Sex, Nudity, Dating – One reference to having nursed babies.
Profanity – None.
Death, Violence and Gore – None.
Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking – None.
Frightening or Intense Things – Soldiers come in the middle of the night to search the home.  Thieves rob the boat.